Department welcomes appeals over fishing rights
Closing date for objections to FRAP 2021/2022 has been extended by 30 days
Those dissatisfied with the outcome of the 2021 fishing rights allocation process (FRAP 2021/2022) have until May 29 to lodge appeals.
The closing date for objections has been extended by 30 days by the minister of forestry, fisheries & the environment, Barbara Creecy, after a request for additional time to submit appeals.
Any applicant unhappy with the process is encouraged to lodge an appeal online on the prescribed appeals form through the website https://www.frap2021.co.za.
The grant of right letter and scoresheet on the 2021 fishing rights allocation process was loaded on the online platform in March. Appeals received
after May 29 2022 will not be accepted.
According to the general policy on the allocation of commercial fishing rights for 2021/2022 and the fisheries sector-specific policies, any applicants, affected or interested person may appeal to the minister against the decisions made by the delegated authority in any respective fishing sector.
The appeal may be lodged against an exclusion, a refusal to grant a right or against the decision, process, and/or methodology on quantum or effort. The minister, as the appeal authority, will consider the facts and supporting documents presented by the appellant and announce the decision thereafter.
The department earlier concluded the FRAP 2021/2022 in the nine commercial fishing sectors that were due for reallocation.
Department spokesperson Albi Modise said the aim of the process to allocate fishing rights was to ensure sustainable harvesting of the country’s marine resources, while also addressing historical inequalities by allowing new entrants to the sector.
“The fishing industry’s transformation is a constitutional and legislative requirement. It balances the government’s priorities and it ensures the global competitiveness of the country’s fishing sector,” said Modise.
A total of 2,473 applications were received and adjudicated in the following sectors:
● Hake deep-sea trawl;
● Hake longline;
● South coast rock lobster;
● Small pelagic (sardine and anchovy);
● Demersal shark longline;
● KwaZulu-Natal crustacean trawl;
● Squid;
● Tuna pole-line; and
● Traditional linefish.
“In assessing and allocating the commercial fishing rights, the department evaluated and assessed all applications received,” said Modise.
Besides the personal information of each application, the documents assessed also contained information related to their current and previous involvement in the fishing sector, investment in the fishing sector, performance and compliance history, transformation profile and contribution to the fishery industry. This information helped determine who would be granted a commercial fishing right.
The successful 2021/2022 FRAP rights holders have started applying for their new catch permits. It is imperative that all rights holders ensure that all the required grant of right fees are paid on or before 60 days from the date of receipt of their right or their permits will become invalid.
‘‘ The successful rights holders have started applying for their new catch permits